The Shadow of All Worlds

by Shane Porteous

  Chapter 32

  “What are we doing again?” Fang asked as he and Scratch began carrying out their secret mission for their leader.

  Scratch sighed in annoyance, “We are going to search Ebulon to find the Shadow Stone for Crimson Claw.”

  “Oh, yeah,” Fang replied.

  Scratch shook his head. “Honestly, I don’t know how you could have forgotten already when we only just talked about it.”

  “It wasn’t my fault,” Fang insisted. “I was biting at a flea and some of my forgetting poison leaked.”

  “How come you didn’t forget that?”

  “I’m immune to my poisons.”

  “Uh…Fang?”

  “What?”

  Scratch was about to tell Fang what was wrong with his explanation when he decided it wasn’t worth it. “Never mind, let’s just find the Shadow Stone and report back to Crimson Claw.” Not long after saying this Scratch stopped, having sensed someone nearby. Looking around he caught sight of a man in a black uniform. Something about his short, sharp white hair and powerful looking red eyes made Scratch a bit nervous in a way only Crimson Claw at his worst ever could before. However, Scratch knew that no matter how angry he might get his leader would never hurt him or Fang. Even if Crimson Claw were to get into a fight with his clone creations, Scratch felt he could defeat him in battle. This guy Scratch could tell was powerful like Crimson Claw, but while his powerful leader was also a friend, he had no idea what this man would do to him. Hiding his nervousness Scratch used his long tail to signal Fang to follow as he approached. Having received a little psychic power when Crimson Claw last improved his clone creations of Fang and Scratch, Fang knew the enemy’s name was Cada Varl, though nothing else about him popped into his head.

  The two animals stood in silence for a few moments. Scratch unsheathed his claws just in case and signaled to his partner to sit. He didn’t need Fang for this. “Why are you here?” Scratch asked. “Have you been following us?”

  Cada Varl could easily answer the creature’s question, he hadn’t been following them. He had been moving back towards the Ebulon Tower to do what he could to stop Morzu. He didn’t need a further explanation to know why these creatures had crossed his path, he had overheard them speaking. He didn’t know who or what Crimson Claw was, but it didn’t sound like an Ebulon name. But that wasn’t what was troubling him, these creatures were capable of speech and Cada Varl only knew of one type of dog like creature that could speak. This may not have been his world, he understood that perfectly. But like the scars that covered his body the memory of his old world was too strong to ignore. Canines that could speak were dangerous, just as dangerous as the young man who wielded the Shadow Stone, combing two such evils was an abomination he couldn’t allow. He didn’t speak, his mind screaming at him to kill these creatures before they had a chance to spread further harm.

  “We won’t let you take the Shadow Stone from Crimson Claw. If necessary we will kill you!” Upon hearing his teammate’s words Fang stood up. His red eyes gleamed eagerly as he looked at Scratch awaiting any commands he might be given ready to carry them out. When Cada Varl raised his sword Fang could sense what he had been thinking and what he was doing here. He was a hero just like those foul Chihuahua and Black Cat, Fang let out a strange sound, both a hiss and a growl and hearing it Cada Varl’s eyes narrowed.

  “The Shadow Stone isn’t yours for the taking, there is no if about it, it is necessary that you be killed, before you can plague this world!”

  The threat was more than Fang needed, nothing would stand in the way of accomplishing his mission, not the Heroes United and not this Cada Varl.

  “Scratch!” Fang yelped at his teammate. Scratch didn’t waste time. Knowing what he needed to do he came towards Cada Varl with great speed, leaving the ground with swiftness that made an arrow look like a slug. As fast as he was Cada Varl didn’t lose sight of him, bringing his sword through the air as soon as Scratch was in reach. Using his feline like body Scratch spun his limbs and contorted his spin, looping over the blade and missing its edge. Clearly not expecting such movement Cada Varl couldn’t counter as Scratch landed on his shoulder, immediately jumping off of it and flipping in the air, enabling him to deliver a dozen or so deep scratches between Cada Varl’s shoulder blades. The thick black material could offer little protection against the claws and Cada Varl felt the collections of stings they brought him. As fast as he could, which was quite impressive, the red eyed man turned, swinging his blade in a great arc. But Scratch quickly ascended into the air, in seconds he was easily thirty feet above Cada Varl. Having never seen a wingless creature that could fly Cada Varl was ill prepared for such an action.

  Quickly remembering his second opponent Cada Varl looked back to the brown and black dog called Fang. He had looked back just before Fang was upon him, barreling into his chest like a gigantic arrow. As pain filled Cada Varl like water flowing from a broken dam he was taken off of his feet, slammed hard enough into a near by wall that the stone cracked around him like fragile glass. Fang possessed tremendous strength, far beyond what his small body should have allowed. But Cada Varl had been hit that hard plenty of times in his life and was far from incapacitated. As Fang came for him again Cada Varl was ready for it, he stepped forward swinging his sword with the kind of skill no normal man possessed. But Fang met the sword with his claws and a furious engagement of weaponry took place. In order to deal with Cada Varl’s comet like speed Fang had to give ground, but he was capable of moving fast enough to keep the sword from cleaving his flesh.

  Scratch had watched the engagement with awe, there were few fighters that could force Fang to give ground like that. Scratch, eager to help his companion as well as claim the glory of killing Cada Varl dove from the air. He looked almost like a hawk rushing downwards to clasp its talons upon an unsuspecting field mouse. He bared his teeth thinking they would rip out a large chunk of Cada Varl’s back. Before his teeth could find flesh Cada Varl had forced Fang away with a well-timed sword swing granting him the time to turn and bring his boot up into Scratch. Using his extreme flexibility Scratch contorted his body to the point that he was only struck by the edge of Cada Varl’s foot. Even this slight contact caused pain to flare all through his body and Scratch landed on the ground with a chaotic bounce. He was able to get to his feet reasonably quickly having his super shock absorption to thank for it. Still he was taken back by how strong this Cada Varl actually was, it was the kind of strength only found in Heroes United and that angered him greatly.

  Scratch was right back on the attack his claws like lightning striking with such speed. But Cada Varl not only managed to stop each attack he kept up with them delivering many of his own. Though neither had landed a blow it was shocking just how fast each were moving. Scratch took to the air again, moving like a brown and black crossbow bolt. While still fending off the attacks of Fang Cada Varl half turned hoping to catch Scratch. He managed to but it was only for a moment, Scratch spun his body great enough that Cada Varl couldn’t hold onto him. Fang tried to exploit the mishap and brought his claws across Cada Varls’ face but the red eyed man was fast enough to block the strike before tilting his sword and bashing its flat surface down upon Fang. Like a tiny nail being driven by a sledge hammer Fang was brought to the ground. The impact great enough that the ground opened up below him as if trying to swallow him up. Though riddled with pain Fang had a special resistance to physical attacks and managed to ascend away before Cada Varl’s foot cracked his skull.

  In the same moment of all of this happening Scratch had gone on the offensive delivering a number of claw attacks that Cada Varl blocked before delivering an attack of his own. In order to save himself from the attack, Scratch had to quickly fly high into the air.

  Regrouping Fang and Scratch came together far out of Cada Varl’s reach. They looked down upon him like two wolves, as angry as they were hungry.

  “He’s fast,” Scratch said. “Strong too,” Fa
ng added still feeling the effects of literally being nailed into the ground.

  “But he doesn’t seem to be able to fly!” Scratch pointed out eagerly, always grateful to have an advantage.

  “Yes,” Fang agreed, “He also uses that sword…a lot.”

  “Good observation.” Scratch praised. “Well then, let’s see how effective he is when it is nothing more than scrapings!”

  Fang descended first but Scratch was quick to follow, making them both descend on level with one another. Cada Varl held his ground lowering his sword in preparation for his own attack They showed little fear just wide eyed aggression as Fang and Scratch came down upon him. They met his blade with their claws, but this time working together they didn’t try to avoid or counter attack. Instead they were attacking the blade itself, like its steel was the surface of a closed over hole they were trying to reopen. They were clever enough to remain too high in the air for Cada Varl’s boot to reach either one of them, they had him right where they wanted him. Their attacks were so fast it would have been down right suicidal for Cada Varl to try and free his weapon for an attack. The red eyed man appeared to know this as he held onto his blade with both hands. The sword might not have been budging but Fang and Scratch used this to their advantage. Their scratches were that fast that sparks were being forged, dancing upon the blade like tiny explosions.

  “Keep it up!” Fang barked eagerly. He was determined to turn this sword into shavings. Scratch agreed with Fang and did keep it up, the amount of sparks forming now made it look like a solar flare, yet they kept scratching, believing at any moment the sword would shatter. They could barely see Cada Varl beyond the sparks, but they knew he was there and without this blade he would be easy pickings.

  Suddenly the smile on Fang’s face disappeared as breath was taken from his body like webs by a flame. His own body flipped through the air, like a stone being rolled down a hill.

  “Fang!” he heard Scratch call out. Desperately Scratch continued his attack but without Fang’s claws to create them the sparks had died down enough for Scratch to see what had occurred. Ever so carefully Cada Varl had lowered his blade enough prompting his two attackers to lower. They had been too consumed with destroying the sword to notice, thus giving Cada Varl the reach to kick Fang away. With only one attacker Cada Varl pulled his sword away and brought it back across, if it hadn’t been for Scratch’s flexibility he would have been carved in two.

  Scratch was quick to retreat in order to join his companion high in the air once more. He could hear Fang growling with anger, but knew he was ready and able to continue this fight. More than the man himself, they were more interested in Cada Varl’s blade. Shockingly there was barely a mark on it. Fang was as angered as he was alarmed by this, the claws of his companion could almost cut through anything.

  “What is that sword made of?” he growled, not taking his eyes off the haunting red vision of his enemy.

  “I don’t really think it’s the sword,” Scratch pointed out, panting slightly from the amount of energy he had used.

  “What else could it be?” Fang asked angrily.

  “I can’t explain it in detail, but when he grabbed me before I could feel something happening, like my body was becoming as sturdy as steel, but as motionless as a block of ice.” Fang snarled in response, wondering what kinds of power did this Cada Varl truly have? He believed that Cada Varl’s vision was far different to other humans, he was capable of seeing through those sparks as if they didn’t hinder him at all. His boot had found too good of a mark on Fang’s chest for it to have been by chance. But this new revelation of Cada Varl’s superior sight didn’t scare him, in fact it gave him an idea.

  “Scratch,” he began. “I have an idea.”

  The situation being what it was Scratch decided to give whatever idea Fang had a try. “All right Fang. Tell me what you want me to do,” Scratch replied. Though his partner didn’t always have the brightest ideas, every once in a while Fang could suddenly become a genius.

  Cada Varl could see their mouths moving but couldn’t hear what they were saying to one another. He didn’t need to speculate that they were planning their next offensive but he had no idea what it could be. They were far more formidable than the average werewolf, the one called Fang was stronger than a werewolf as well. While he couldn’t hear what they were saying he could hear the distant clashing of steel and screams. They were too far away for him to tell if they were human or orc screams, chances were they were both. With the orcs within Ebulon and with Morzu still within the tower, still in control of the Shadow Stone he had more pressing matters than these two strange enemies. He needed to defeat them quickly, but he didn’t know how, both were capable of absorbing his blows without being incapacitated and the one called Scratch especially was fast enough to dodge his blade. He was also aware that in such a narrow pathway, they had the advantage, they could keep him in one small area as they attacked and simply retreated into the sky above before he could kill them.

  Before he could think of a new strategy Fang and Scratch came for him, descending like two demonic drops of some nightmarish rain. Knowing Fang was the slower of the two Cada Varl readied his sword to kill him first, a single target was much easier to keep an eye on. But in place of attacking Fang and Scratch landed gracefully on either side of him with traces of dust and stone raising up silently in the air upon their landings. Cada Varl was able to glance to both of them momentarily before they each took off running in great arcs around him. A second passed and he understood that they were circling him. He had seen a similar tactic used by the beasts of his own world, disorientation was a simple yet very effective method. But their circling surpassed any he had faced before as they both began to ascend into the air while running like they were both running on invisible pathways around him. He could see that the dust that rose with them was beginning to be caught in their movements like a hurricane. Before long that is what the whole thing was beginning to look like, a tornado of fur, fangs, claws and dust that had surrounded him on all sides. As fast as they were moving Cada Varl could still see them, it took a great deal of darkness or light to blind him and as impressive as this tornado was it didn’t hinder his vision. Fang and Scratch seemed aware of this, whenever he moved to attack one of them the other would false charge behind him, prompting Cada Varl to stop his attack and be back on his guard.

  It was soon becoming apparent to Cada Varl that Fang and Scratch weren’t just trying to disorientate him they were training his mind to get use to what they were doing. Slowly, they were trying to get him off guard. Cada Varl remained aware of this but the problem was he had no idea what true attack they had planned. Effectively he could do nothing more but be on his guard and try to see the attack coming.

  Eventually he did see something coming, something his sword couldn’t block. Out of instinct his sword was swung but specks of dust were difficult to cut through. They moved both under and over his sword flying into his eyes like tiny arrows. As if set on fire Cada Varl’s eyes stung and all he could see was a strange vision of giant dust specks and nothing more. Following Fang’s orders to the letter Scratch had used his levitation powers to control the dust, thus blinding Cada Varl. It was difficult to swing your sword with any kind of accuracy when you couldn’t even see what you were swinging at. Fang had countered on this and now leapt out from the dust tornado. From the other side Scratch followed his motions and the two of them leapt on Cada Varl like he was a big juicy carcass.

  Both Fang and Scratch made sounds of delight for Cada Varl’s garments and flesh were easily cut into. Scratch enjoyed digging into Cada Varl’s right shoulder, wanting to see how fast he would be able to wield his blade if half his shoulder was gone. Fang focused on his neck and left cheek. Blood fell into the air like sparks, but these didn’t blind the two creatures they invigorated them, the smell was enticing and seducing, Cada Varl would die and they would be free to claim the Shadow Stone. They both saw Cada Varl’s hand reach
for his face a pathetic attempt to protect his features from their claws.

  “It won’t work!” Fang growled, now turning his attention to Cada Varl’s hand, Fang would make ribbons out of it. But he had only gotten several scratches in when suddenly Cada Varl’s sword swung in a great rotation, moving fast enough that both Fang and Scratch had to leap away.

  They both snarled, angered that Cada Varl had interrupted their attack.

  “What happened?” Fang remarked, the plan was going so well, the bloody mess he had made of Cada Varl’s shoulder proved it. With the dust tornado now gone, the air was near silent and neither Fang nor Scratch made a move. Cada Varl lowered his hand, revealing his eyes were smeared with blood. Not covered by it like his cheek, neck and shoulder.

  “Quite clever,” Scratch remarked realizing that Cada Varl had used his own spilled blood to remove the dust specks from his eyes. Cada Varl may have been seeing the world through a blood red veil but at least now he could see it.

  Cada Varl didn’t have to glance at his shoulder to know how damaged it was, an entire ocean of blood felt like it was flowing down his arm. Amongst the blood where the garments had been torn Scratch could see strange black scars, almost like isles floating in a crimson sea.

  “Well Scratch, we know what we have to do this time…claw out his eyes!”

  Before Scratch could concur Cada Varl had leapt through the air. While he wasn’t flying he seemed impervious to the pull of gravity moving tens of feet in a single leap.

  “We got him on the run!” Scratch proclaimed with delight before the two of them took to the air to pursue him. As soon as Cada Varl had landed he leapt back once more ensuring he was facing his pursues. Because they were capable of flight they caught him easily but this time Cada Varl fought back. Each was a brief exchange of claws and steel before Fang would fly away only to turn back around and attack him once more. Scratch preferred to bounce off the walls, hoping to catch Cada Varl in a quick enough attack as the red eyed man continued to leap backwards. It was an intense affair with none of the three offering quarter to their enemy.

  Cada Varl took one final leap backwards, landing within a disheveled courtyard. Ebulon was a huge city and the courtyard reflected that, easily being the size of a large field. Seeing this Fang and Scratch stop their attacks, coming together in the air. Panting with both drained energy and bloodlust Fang narrowed his eyes.

  “It seems he has run out of places to run, bad choice though, that area is large enough for us both to fully use our speed and agility.”

  “What was it that Crimson Claw once said to us?” Scratch began. “That a mouse always will trap itself in a corner if you chase it long enough.”

  “Ah yes he did, he also told us that a trapped mouse has nothing left to lose so be careful of its teeth.” Fang pointed out.

  To this Scratch blinked a few times before shaking his head, “Crimson Claw never said that to me.”

  “Well he said it to me,” Fang said.

  “No he didn’t I would have heard him,” Scratch pointed out.

  “It happened when we were alone once.”

  “You were never alone with Crimson Claw! I know that because I have never left his side, except for this mission and neither have you!” To this Fang snarled and Scratch understood that it was just another contradiction that Fang was occasionally guilty of.

  Even so, whether Crimson Claw had actually said it or not didn’t delude its point. Cada Varl was injured but far from death’s door, knowing that he was the faster of the two Scratch considered things carefully.

  “His shoulder injury should have slowed the speed with which he can swing his sword, but to be safe I think I should attack him first and see what speed he has left.”

  “Yes, do it,” Fang began. “But don’t kill him…yet. I want to fight some more too.” Scratch nodded as he prepared to charge.

  Though Cada Varl remained more or less at full fighting capacity the injuries roared with pain, their claws had cut deeply. But what concerned him deeply was their teeth, how long would it be before they put away their claws and begun trying to bite him? He didn’t know the full extent of their powers but he was horribly aware of what would happen if they bit him. It could very well unleash destruction on this world that he couldn’t stop and he couldn’t allow that to happen again. He had been reluctant to use this power, considering he knew its extent and what it did to him if he used it too much. But he couldn’t risk being bitten and now he only hoped this courtyard was a large enough space. Still very cautious he did what he could to control it, feeling the power from within as the air just above his feet began to shimmer like the air above a roaring fire. He kept his eyes firmly upon his two attackers, not wanting them to look down and see the energy that he was summoning. Like letting out steam from a pot he did it slowly as he lowered his sword ready for an upward strike.

  The one called Scratch flew towards him with all the speed and malice his small body could produce. Fang watched on with great satisfaction, he knew that Scratch wouldn’t kill Cada Varl outright. This would allow Fang to rightfully claim an equal share in the glory of killing this so-called other world hero. But as Scratch came closer to Cada Varl Fang began to notice it, the way the air was moving around the red eyed man. It reminded him of ripples in a lake but there was no water just air. Scratch was ready to claw Cada Varl’s nose right off of his face, there was no possible way he could swing that sword fast enough. And even if he did Scratch would just spin his body to avoid it, this mouse would squeak before long.

  Scratch saw the sword moving towards him as well as a strange faint glow of red that flashed in the air. Alarmed by just how fast the sword was moving Scratch twisted his body and tried to ascend. Though he managed to get out of the sword’s path something sprang forth from it like a flare. It was a fast moving flash of red that seemed to vanish as soon as it appeared. Scratch’s mind was awash in thought, his body filled with a very unpleasant shock. He knew he had avoided the blade, he had seen the flash of red and tried to contort his body to dodge it. But he didn’t, it had caught him, it was as if he had tried to outrun his shadow and his shadow had grown angry. He glanced down at Cada Varl whose sword remained raised, the faint red light still encircling him. Scratch suddenly felt very warm and then extremely cold.

  His vision soon fell upon something descending away from him, something that once belonged to him but no more. It was the other half of his body, the red energy had literally cut him in two. It had happened too fast for his mind to comprehend. He was quite rightfully dead he just didn’t know it yet. Seeing the second half of his body fall broke him out of his trance and then he couldn’t think, see or feel anything.

  “Scratch!” Fang bellowed in anger, leaping downwards with his claws and teeth ready. He reached Cada Varl within a moment but his claws and teeth never reached his target. He landed with a very heavy thud, there was no grace in his step as he breathed harshly. He hadn’t seen it but he felt it all across the left side of his body, Cada Varl had cut him deeply with his sword. The red eyed man’s movements were simply too fast for Fang to have seen. Like the slurping of some disgusting demon he could hear his own blood spill upon the ground as he stumbled. What had happened! He thought. How could Cada Varl move that fast if he was injured? What was the red power? He had seen the red flash in Cada Varl’s eyes, perfect sync with the flash of red energy, meaning it was a power from within. More than the speed was the strength itself, Fang was resistant to most physical attacks but the blade had cut through his body like a sword through a splinter. As Cada Varl turned to face him fully Fang felt the weight of the man’s gaze.

  “What are you?” Fang demanded.

  “I’m Cada Varl,” the red eyed man replied. It wasn’t maliciousness in Cada Varl’s tone, but a definite coldness. Fine keep your mysteries, Fang thought. I got plenty of my own.

  He gasped under the weight of the truth of his thoughts. Fang had more than just his claws and r
esilience in his arsenal. He had his fangs and the powers they held within. Poisons of different kinds were at his disposal. He had a sleeping poison that in his past had worked well, but he wanted more than just for Cada Varl to slumber, he wanted him to suffer and he knew of a way. A poison so potent and powerful there was only one antidote, it resided in his lower fangs, meaning Cada Varl would never know a cure for it. This poison was his secret weapon, it could kill Cada Varl, but it would also kill him, it was the one poison he possessed that he didn’t have automatic immunity towards. Crimson Claw had warned him never to use it unless it was the only option. He would die if he used it, but he was going to die anyway, his injuries were far too severe.

  He had been witnessed to the way Cada Varl had summoned the red energy, it began at his feet and rose into the air like heat from a flame. Though badly injured Fang was sure enough as long as he launched himself from his right foot, the uninjured side of him, he could bypass the sword before it was quickened by the power of the red energy.

  Fang took a long breath, mentally preparing himself for his own death and the hope of Cada Varl’s. He sprang forth opening his mouth and revealing the poison that swelled from his fangs. Taking to the air and using his flight powers made him just as quick as he ever been. Still the seconds passed like hours as he could see the red energy beginning to be summoned. He was sure that he would reach Cada Varl’s throat before the sword could block his path. Then his vision was consumed by red and the last thing he heard was a bewildering sound of power.

  The red energy had risen up all around Cada Varl like a pillar of steam from a boiling kettle. The red grew in a vertical path breaking through the clouds above with great power. A moment passed and the red slowly faded like the evening sun on the horizon. Cada Varl had felt the ground shake below him as he was sure half of whoever was still in Ebulon had felt it. His eyes glowed red for another moment before returning to normal. He had seen the poison within Fang’s teeth, having remembered what the strange creature had said about its toxins. But it was the threat of being bitten that caused Cada Varl to momentarily panic. That moment had broken down the restraints he had placed on the powers and they had exploded out of him. It was the very embodiment of overkill, what remained of Fang was little more than ash and a few barely recognizable bones. But at the least Cada Varl had stopped him before Fang had bitten him.

  The red eyed man looked over his hand seeing that a sun burnt red now covered it. He had seen that red before and knew that it was only the beginning mark of what his powers could do to him. But his mind was focused once again on the Ebulon Tower, it remained eerie even to his eyes, knowing what still lurked underneath it made him realize the red wouldn’t be leaving his skin anytime soon.